Germany v Argentina: ultimate guide to the 2014 World Cup final at Maracana, Rio de Janeiro

FOR all the headlines, talking points, twists and turns, the 2014 World Cup final will be decided by two tournament giants who share five titles between them (Argentina 1978, 1986; Germany 1954, 1974, 1990).

It’s Argentina v Germany. It’s South America v Europe. It’s the best team against a country with the world’s greatest individual.

Can Germany become the first European outfit to win a World Cup on South American soil, or will Argentina further dampen Brazilian spirits by stealing their thunder on what was supposed to be their stage?

Germany look in prime position to shake their recent bridesmaid tag after the 2002 World Cup final loss to Brazil and semi-final exits in 2006 and 2010. Their last trophy was the Euro 1996 crown in England.

It’s the third time these two have met in a World Cup decider – a tournament record. Argentina returns to the biggest stage of all for the first time since 1990, where they lost to the Germans, while Diego Maradona inspired La Albiceleste to the title over West Germany in Mexico in 1986.

Will the brilliant German outfit boss this one in midfield and cap their impressive tournament with a triumph, or will Argentina peak at the right moment, with the stage set for Messi’s individual brilliance to guide them home?

Here’s your Ultimate Guide to the decider at the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

How they got here: Germany’s 7-1 shellacking over Brazil will go down as one of the World Cup’s most monumental moments. It was clinical, classy and cruel all at once as the hosts were bundled out, with Germany bringing their goal scoring tally to 17 in six matches. Argentina progressed from a suffocating struggle against Netherlands on penalties and are yet to concede a goal in the knockout stage.

Germany's midfielder Sami Khedira’s form has been key.Source:AFP

Line-ups: It’s impossible to see Loew tinkering with such a winning formula. Manuel Neuer provides an assertive presence between the sticks, while Philipp Lahm’s return to right-back has provided perfect balance to the side. Per Mertesacker is likely to miss out again with Mat Hummels-Jerome Boateng preferred in the middle, while the understated Benedikt Höwedes is at left-back.

Manuel Neuer, from left, Mats Hummels and Miroslav Klose.Source:AP

Loew’s big change came pairing Sami Khedira with Bastian Schweinsteiger. It’s a formidable pairing, which allows Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller to run riot ahead of them. World Cup record scorer Miroslav Klose’s return to the XI for the knockout stages has ensured criticisms of Germany’s possession-heavy style have been rectified. The striker provides a link and outlet that allows the side’s attack to prosper. Frighteningly, the likes of Andre Schurrle, Mario Gotze and Lukas Podolski hover on the bench.

Alejandro Sabella has some decisions or risks to take with Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero. The former is racing the clock, the latter is clearly underdone. Both their replacements, Enzo Perez and Ezequiel Lavezzi are solid options, but the inclusion of the injured pair brings world class quality to the XI. Otherwise, this is a really tidy side, with Sergio Romero, Ezequiel Garay, Martin Demichelis, Lucas Biglia and Javier Mascherano the spine behind the superstar, Lionel Messi, at No.10. Pablo Zabaleta and Marco Rojo are fullbacks who can get forward, while Gonzalo Higuain, who scored the winner against Belgium, is alongside Lavezzi up front.

Key match-ups: Schweinsteiger v Messi. The star of the show, Argentina’s No.10, has waited for this stage for his entire career. He might have won matches off his own boot already this tournament, but he is yet to truly dominate a game. It’s impossible to expect him to do so against such a rampant German midfield, but will he outfox Schweinsteiger, Khedira and co to conjure that decisive match-winning moment of brilliance?

The star, front, and the enforcer, behind.Source:AP

Javier Mascherano v Toni Kroos. The Barcelona defensive midfielder’s excellent tournament finally earned him headlines with his lunging block on Arjen Robben in the semi-final. Kroos is the quiet achiever in Germany’s brilliant midfield but loves to get into intelligent positions. Mascherano has a big job on his hands.

Germany's midfielder Toni Kroos.Source:AFP

Look out for: For all the midfield talk, the battle out wide could be curious. Zabaleta and Rojo love to get forward, but will they, with experts like Ozil and Muller up against them, with the additional threat of Lahm down the right as well?

It could be a phoney war to see who gets tempted to try their luck first – and if they are caught out of position, both teams can swoop. Argentina looked most likely against Netherlands in wide areas, while we all know how Brazil fared when Germany surged down the right flank.

Weaknesses: Do Germany even have one? Perhaps it’s in behind their defence, but then they have Neuer sweeping up anyway. Argentina do have players who can threaten those areas and will need to strike. Argentina have struggled to break the shackles against opponents who have set out to cramp them, throughout the entire tournament. A lot depends on how each boss sets up - will there be any space in midfield?

Paper Talk: Messi, the stage is yours. Diego Maradona sits on the pedestal, and while it is unfair to question the current No.10’s pedigree or class, Monday is a career defining moment.